Was 308 the right choice?

[FlyTheW]

I recently placed an order for a CA Ridgeline in 308 (20"). Had been decided on a 300wsm for a long time and switched to 308 at the last minute. Wondering if the 308 was the right choice or if i should still consider changing to a magnum like the wsm? Primary use would be elk/mule deer / future caribou hunt.

My reasons for the 308:

1. No "big" rifle experience, live in a straight wall midwest state, currently use muzzleloader/shotgun/bow for deer or smaller rifles (223) for coyotes
2. Plan to run a suppressor (hybrid 46) so the 20" barrel was appealing over the 24 of the wsm
3. Would be hard to even find a place to practice longer than 400 yards in my area so would expect to stay under that for shot distance.

My reason for the 300wsm was to have 1 gun that could "do it all" and allow me to extend my range in the future with more practice.

Was the 308 the right move?

 

[ThunderJack49]

308 can certainly stretch out to 400 yards for deer. It's also cheaper than 300wsm and should have a longer barrel life, which in my mind, equals more practice. I killed my first elk with a 308 at 375 yards actually. I've had the same thoughts but at the end of the day I'm happy I have mine.

 

[sndmn11]

Was the 308 the right move?

I think it can surely do what you are wanting. I would focus my research on what bullets will be best suited for the relatively lower velocity of what a short barrel .308win can do. It will also leave you room to get that 300wsm down the road.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

308 is a great cartridge. I’ve killed quite a bit of stuff with one.

 

[Steelruger22]

The 308 will be just fine. Its a great versatile, yet humble all around cartridge. Have personally used it on everything up to elk and have no complaints. I think that 18"-20" is the sweet spot for the 308 in a hunting rig.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

I use a 308 with a can and have no complaints, killed a whitetail at 425 yds last week...I would go shorter than 20" if you plan to use a can. 18" seems to be the sweet spot for me as my can is 7.5" in the long config.

 

[hodgeman]

I've been a long time user of both the 308 and the 300WSM. If you're mainly hunting deer with occasional forays into caribou and elk, the .308 is plenty of gun.

I really like my 300WSM, while it's perfect for moose it's a bit much for caribou. If I lived in the L48, I could be very happy with the .308 as my do it all gun.

 

[JAC8504]

I think you made a great choice. 20” is nimble enough to hunt in a blind, can install a can, 308 has less recoil, one of the only cartridges that was available the last year, plenty of factory selections. May not have the ballistics of the WSM, but great cartridge!

 

[The_Jim]

I will add some praise for the 308 - buy good ammo and it will do what you need it to.

 

[Wapiti1]

Do a search on google for "death by scenar". I think it was a thread on 24hrcampfire. If you have any doubts about the .308, that thread should put them to rest. Many photos of deer, elk, stag, bears with many killed by a .308.

Jeremy

 

[Fatcamp]

Our local Scheels has 30 options for .308 right now. Not a single one for for 6.5CM or many other calibers. Good choice I say.

 

[FlyTheW]

Our local Scheels has 30 options for .308 right now. Not a single one for for 6.5CM or many other calibers. Good choice I say.

Same here, this was one of the major factors that drove me to look hard at the .308. Scheels here didn't have 300wsm, Win Mag, or even 6.5CM as you mentioned but had tons of 308 options. Strange as it seems like most of rifles in there are 6.5 or 300WM.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

I purchased my first suppressor in February. Still waiting for approval, so I've had time to ask the same questions as you regarding the gun. I want an 18"-20" barrel in a lightweight hunting rifle.

I'm still scratching my head why no one offers a 300 wsm with a 20" threaded barrel out of the factory. Quite a few hunters with suppressors seem to want the same thing, but the options are either to buy a factory WSM with a longer steel barrel and have it chopped and threaded by a smith, or buy a factory 308 or 6.5CM with a short, threaded barrel.

I like the idea of the 300 WSM for more oomph as an elk gun at longer ranges, but people seem to have no issue killing elk out out to 400 with a 308, and this ammo shortage has really been an eye opener. 300 WSM has been nearly impossible to find, while 308 is readily available and affordable.

 

[Fatcamp]

Same here, this was one of the major factors that drove me to look hard at the .308. Scheels here didn't have 300wsm, Win Mag, or even 6.5CM as you mentioned but had tons of 308 options. Strange as it seems like most of rifles in there are 6.5 or 300WM.

Ya, really puzzling. I have plenty, but for a lot of people it's an issue.

 

[BeardDog]

The beauty of today's Ammo (once you get some) is the versatility of loads. 308 might have had some shortcomings a while back, but now being able to adjust your bullet weight changes the game significantly. I hunt with 150 gr or 165 copper in my 308.

 

[hunting1]

I own several large .30 cal Magnums and grab my .308 almost always. From coyotes to elk it never lets me down. I say you made a wise choice.

 

[mtwarden]

own a 19” .308 (cut down from 22”); 165 gr Accubond- performs well with deer and elk; you’ll be fine

 

[Antares]

I'll pig pile on here too. I've also spent a fair amount of time considering the .300WSM but always fall back to the .308.

My main hunting rifle is a 20" suppressed .308. It may not be sexy, but it's effective. As has been pointed out above, .308 really shines for ammo availability, selection, and cost. My backup/loaner rifle is also .308.

In my opinion, buying a few cases of .308 and working on becoming a more proficient shooter will give you much greater long-term benefit than the moderate increase in horsepower you get from rechambering to .300WSM.

 

[wavygravy]

I had the same back / forth when I ordered my 308. I shoot Barnes 150gr TTSX exclusively, bought a bunch of it so I dont need to worry about ammo supply from now on and it just does what you need.